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Has your heel pain lingered even though you've stayed off your feet and taken pain relievers? When home care doesn't help your symptoms, your foot doctor can offer effective treatment options. Wesley Chapel, FL, podiatrists Drs. George and Kathy Tjamaloukas provide the care you need to get back on your feet.

Why do my heels hurt?

Hurt pain occurs due to a variety of issues. If you've ever stepped on a rock or small toy, you've probably experienced a stone bruise, an injury that affects the fat pad over your heel bone. You may also develop a stone bruise if you run or exercise in shoes that don't offer enough support or cushioning. Although heel pain due to stone bruises usually subsides without treatment in a week or two, symptoms of other conditions can last much longer. Common causes of lingering heel pain include:

Plantar Fasciitis: If you run your hand along the bottom of your foot, you'll feel a thick band of tissue called the plantar fascia. The fascia, which connects your toes to your heels, can become inflamed and cause pain in the heel. If you have plantar fasciitis, pain may be worse first thing in the morning and may lessen as you become more active. Walking after long periods of sitting can cause it to flare up again. Runners and people who spend long periods on their feet are more likely to develop the condition, although obesity, arch issues, and foot imbalances are other risk factors. You may be able to manage mild pain at home, but it's a good idea to visit your Wesley Chapel foot doctor if the pain is severe or interferes with your normal activities.

Heel Fissures: Deep cracks that form in the skin of your heel can be very painful. Moisturizing the skin can help heel shallow fissures, but you may need podiatric care if the fissures are deep, extremely painful, or infected.

Achilles Tendinitis: Heel pain may also occur due to inflammation of the tendon that connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. Achilles tendinitis is a common overuse injury that's particularly common in people over 40. It may be more likely to occur if you have flat feet, don't replace worn-out shoes promptly, have high blood pressure or take certain antibiotics.

Your podiatrist offers a variety of treatments that offer real relief for heal pain. It's particularly important to make an appointment if you have ongoing or severe pain, as ignoring the pain may lead to arthritis or chronic pain in some cases.

Heel pain can be debilitating, not to mention the many complications that can arise if it's not dealt with immediately and accurately by a doctor. Your Land O' Lakes, FL, podiatrists, Drs. George and Kathy Tjamaloukas, care about supplying you and others with the necessary information to cope and treat this issue, which is why they also serve the Wesley Chapel community.

Heel and Arch Pain:

The pain you're feeling may be caused by the inflammation of a connective tissue known as plantar fasciitis. This connective tissue isn't just in your heel though, it extends past the arch of your foot, reaching your toes.

Causes of Pain:

The causes of pain vary from one person to another. Some causes include:

Injuries, such as bruises, incurred during light or intense activities: walking, running, excessive jumping or jumping on hard surfaces.

Wearing improperly fitted or worn down footwear.

Being overweight or obese can contribute to your foot pain.

Here are other causes of pain that may be more serious and may require you to visit Drs. George or Kathy Tjamaloukas' office in Land O' Lakes, which also welcomes residents from the Wesley Chapel area:

Overpronation: When someone's walk is abnormal, their foot rolls inward with each step they take. This causes tension to be placed on the connective tissue (plantar fascia), the arch stretches and, eventually, the foot flattens out, which puts more pressure on the plantar fascia. When there's constant pressure being placed on the tissue, inflammation occurs and the individual starts feeling pain.

Heel Spur Syndrome: The stretching of the plantar fascia causes an individual to feel a constant force being applied to the muscles and ligaments of his or her foot. The end result consists of torn linings and membranes that should be covering the heel bone.

Treatment:

There are several methods of treatment, some more conservative than others:

Anti-inflammatory medications

Stretching exercises

Orthotic devices

Physical therapy

Extracorporeal Shockwave therapy

Heel Surgery

If you have any questions or concerns, please consult your Land O' Lakes, FL, podiatrists, who also serve the Wesley Chapel area.

Find out what could be causing your heel pain and what your treatment options are.

Whether you are on your feet all day for work or you are an avid morning runner, heel pain can befall anyone. If heel pain has you changing your daily routine, it’s high time you turned to our Wesley Chapel podiatrists, Dr. George Tjamaloukas and Dr. Kathy Tjamaloukas, for treatment.

What is causing my heel pain?

Because there are so many causes of heel pain, it’s important you visit your foot doctor in Wesley Chapel as soon as possible if you are injured or if you are experiencing heel pain. By pinpointing the cause of your heel pain, we can also create a tailored and more effective treatment plan.

Common heel pain causes include:

Plantar fasciitis: One of the most frequent causes of heel pain, this condition is the result of inflamed plantar fascia (the thick band of tissue that runs along the underside of your feet). This is often due to overuse, or if the duration or intensity of a workout is suddenly increased.

Achilles tendinitis: If your pain is directed behind the heel, this could be inflammation of the Achilles tendon. This is another condition caused by overuse of the muscles or ligaments and is most often found in runners or those who wear improper footwear for physical activity.

Heel spur: If someone has plantar fasciitis for a while, sometimes a heel spur can also develop. This calcium deposit may develop where the plantar fascia connect to the heel bone.

Stone bruise: If you step on a hard object, you can bruise the fat pad of your heel. This pain will usually go away over time on its own.

Other causes also include fractures, strains and sprains, and different forms of arthritis.

What are my treatment options?

What we recommend for you will depend on what is causing your heel pain. However, there are some standard conservative treatment options that we may recommend across the board to help with your pain and discomfort, including:

Take over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications like Tylenol to reduce pain and swelling.

Rest your foot as much as possible, elevating it when at rest. Also avoid any physical activities that might exacerbate it.

Ice your heel for 15-20 minutes at a time a couple times a day to reduce inflammation.

We can show you some stretching and strengthening exercises that could be particularly good to perform daily for those with plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendinitis.

Wear a heel pad or talk to us about using custom orthotics to provide your heel with more support and stability when moving or standing.

If you don’t see the results you want after trying these methods for a week, it’s time that we addressed the issue with more aggressive treatments.

Heel pain shouldn’t slow you down. Let us help you pick up speed. Call Comprehensive Foot and Ankle Center in Wesley Chapel, FL for the treatment you need to enjoy a pain-free life.